New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) - The captain of India’s women's cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her overwhelming joy at winning the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, an accomplishment that has been a dream for every woman who has represented the nation in cricket. India's victory against South Africa by 52 runs marked the first time they lifted the trophy at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

In a heartfelt discussion, Harmanpreet reflected on the significance of this triumph for a generation of cricketers who have longed for such a moment. "This victory means the world to us because since the inception of women’s cricket, we have aspired to lift the ICC trophy. Our team achieved this dream, and I couldn’t be prouder of us," she stated.

Harmanpreet, who caught the final ball to clinch the title, shared her emotions about the nail-biting finale. "Absolutely! We were all praying for that last wicket. I feel fortunate that the final catch came my way. I’ve taken numerous catches, but this one will forever remain etched in my memory, and I’m thankful that it came to me," she said.

She also discussed a tough decision made during the tournament—resting Jemimah Rodrigues for the match against England. "It was a challenging decision. We recognized the need for our batters to step up, but sometimes a brief break can rejuvenate confidence. The discussion I had with our coach, Amol Muzumdar, was pivotal, and I believe that rest was beneficial for her performance when it mattered most," Harmanpreet added.

Looking ahead, she noted the transformative changes in women's cricket for future generations. "Girls today won’t face the struggles we did in the past. There are numerous opportunities and platforms available. I hope they can pursue sports as a career without the hurdles we encountered. It’s about taking the sport seriously now," she mentioned.

On the impact of the WPL in advancing women's cricket, Harmanpreet remarked that the tournament has been a significant turning point. "It has changed the entire landscape of women’s sports. We waited long for this opportunity, and it has proven beneficial for all domestic cricketers. The hard work leading up to this moment, coupled with that crucial push, has led us to this victory. As Surya Yadav mentioned, there’s no looking back now, and we aim to continue making the BCCI and our country proud," she emphasized.

Shubman Gill, captain of the Indian men’s Test and ODI teams, who was also present, expressed his admiration for the women's team's performance. When asked if he had any advice for them ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England this June-July, he respectfully stated that their impressive track record speaks for itself, affirming their capability to excel.